The NME 100 reveals the new acts destined to dominate 2019

Today sees the launch of the NME 100 – shining a spotlight on the best new talent set to dominate the year ahead. Check it out here.

Launched with the NME Big Read meeting Billie Eilish in LA, the list covers everything from drill to indie via punk and metal – with a little flamenco for good measure. Former NME Big Read star Slowthai made the cut, as did rapper Headie One, Dublin punks Fontaines DC, British singer-songwriter Jade Bird and reggaeton hero Bad Gyal. And there’s a lot, lot more where that came from.

“This year’s list is undoubtedly the strongest and most diverse we’ve had yet,” said NME New Music Editor Thomas Smith. “From drill rappers ready to go mainstream to the bands and pop stars that’ll be seeing dominating festival season, it’s a good representation of the artists ready to make 2019 so damn exciting.”

“We’re most excited about Billie Eilish, the teenage pop star who we kicked off the NME 100 with on Friday. In our Big Read, we spoke to her about the upcoming year and her debut album, which is going to make her one of the biggest names in game. She’s leading the charge, but we’re pretty certain that plenty of the remaining artists in the NME 100 won’t be far behind in making some of the most boundary-pushing and exhilarating music this year.”

Editor Charlotte Gunn added: “NME has always been a champion of new music and as we enter 2019, we are overwhelmed with the amount of emerging talent. A list of five or ten acts just wouldn’t cut it, so we’re proud to unveil the biggest and best new artist list in music. We challenge you to not find something you love.”

The annual NME 100 was launched in 2017 with an aim of reflecting genre-agnostic listening, connecting NME readers to thrilling new sounds and offering a fresher, more diverse alternative to the stale new acts lists you see elsewhere. Last year’s alumni include Shame, Pale Waves, Avelino, Rex Orange County, Dave, Tom Grennan, Yungblood, IAMDDB and many more.